Advanced Intra-spinal Decompression Implant

ABSTRACT

A new Intra-spinal decompression implant is introduced that comprises of two plate attachments to a titanium metal implant that fits between the spinous processes of the vertebrae in the lower back, decompressing the neuro elements. The invention has a number of new design features including: double axis adjustable side plates, stepped conical tipped body and piercing tips on side plates, among many mentioned in this disclosure, that improves the quality of the surgery and the result for the patient. More examples are given in this application.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a CIP (continuation-in-part) of another co-pending application, application Ser. No. 12/245,717, filed Oct. 4, 2008, now allowed, with the same title and inventor, and it claims priority to that parent application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An Intra-spinal decompression implant comprises of two plate attachments to a titanium metal implant that fits between the spinous processes of the vertebrae in the lower back, decompressing the neuro elements. These devices are implanted without fixation to the bone or ligament to preserve physiological spinal motion. These devices are particularly useful for patients who suffer from degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, or lateral recess syndrome. Such device has many advantages, including easy installation and therefore capable of decompressing the spinal canal and nerve roots quickly and efficiently.

The Intra-spinal decompression implants available to date in the market require different size of side plates and/or different size of implant body for different spinal levels or different patients. They are also prone to moving from the intended location. The following Website provides a good description of one the available Intra-spinal decompression implants in the market: http ://www.ispub.com/ostia/index.php?xmlFilePath=journals/ijmist/vol1n1/xstop.xml

This invention provides an improved design for Intra-spinal decompression implants that unlike other decompression implants on the market can be used on multiple spinal levels and different type of patients. The invented device will reduce surgery time by almost half an hour per spinal level and allows for the procedure to be done on local standby and on an out-patient basis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention is an Intra-spinal decompression implant that comprises of two plate attachments to a titanium metal implant that fits between the spinous processes of the vertebrae in the lower back, decompressing the neuro elements. The invention (as an example) has a number of new design features, including:

Lateral and vertical side plate adjustments

An implant body capable of dual axis adjustment with a large cavity for packing of bone graft material, for tissue to fuse around and inside the device, for better installation (the cavity can be multiple cavities, in middle, and small ones on the sides, as one example)

The implant body design incorporates a stepped and pointed conical tipped end, for better installation

Conical piercing tipped studs for attachment to the vertebrae

The implant design incorporates precision-machined slots and keys in the implant body and side plates

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the top view of the implant body that incorporates a stepped and pointed conical tipped end.

FIG. 2 illustrates one of the side plate attachments to the implant body, with rear and front parts, in which the length of the front part is adjustable.

FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the implant body, which shows how the side plate is attached to the implant body as well as the bottom cavity of the implant body.

FIG. 4 shows the stepped and conical ripped end and its cross section.

FIG. 5 shows the dual axis (X and Y) adjustment mechanisms of the implant.

FIG. 6 shows the locking and retaining fasteners for the side plate attachment.

FIG. 7 shows the large bottom cavity of the implant body. This example shows a hexagonal shaped cavity.

FIG. 8 shows the conical-shaped piercing tipped studs on the front and rear side plates.

FIG. 9 shows the slot and key mechanism used for dual axis adjustment of the implement.

FIG. 10 shows a symmetric and an asymmetric stepped tipped end of the implant body.

FIG. 11 shows an asymmetric side plate, with different front and rear wings sizes.

FIG. 12 shows the screws and bands that support the structure for one of the embodiments.

FIG. 13 shows the cross section or another view of the structure shown in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The Intra-spinal decompression implant of the preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. It is designed for plate attachment to the titanium metal implant and fits between the spinous processes of the vertebrae in the lower back, decompressing the neuro elements. It is designed to remain safely and permanently in place as the spinal processes gradually fuses together while the spine naturally repairs itself. The device is particularly useful for patients who suffer from degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, or lateral recess syndrome. The device has many advantages, including easy installation and therefore capable of decompressing the spinal canal and nerve roots quickly and inefficiently. Unlike other decompression implants on the market, the side plates of the device are adjustable in two dimensions (FIG. 5), which allow them to be universally used on multiple spinal levels or different patients. The device will reduce surgery time by almost half an hour per spinal level and allows for the procedure to be done on local standby and on an out-patient basis.

The design includes implant adjustments in width and length to accommodate the patient anatomy. Height adjustment is accomplished by replacement of the implant body to a different diameter (larger or smaller size). The side plates are universal and can be assembled with a variety of sizes. Lateral and vertical adjustment (length and width) is accomplished by means of slots and keys (FIG. 9) that are machined in the side plate and implant body.

Please note that Appendices 1-5, 6-7, and 8-31 show various components, installations, usages, and viewpoints of our system, in different embodiments, for different applications. These are our own teachings for support of our spec and claims.

Design Features

The design incorporates the following features for trouble-free implantation:

Lateral and vertical side plate adjustment incorporating ¼- 1/2 turn locking and retaining fasteners (FIG. 6) that enables multiple positioning that accommodate a variable size range of patient anatomy. The side plates could be quickly adjusted before or during the surgery, therefore, reducing the operation time. FIG. 1 shows the slots (103) that are used for lateral adjustment of the side plates. There are typically 3 adjustment slots for each of the side plates as shown in FIG. 1 (103). FIG. 2 shows one of the side plates, which has vertical adjustment via a slot (206) and typically two screws (203).

An implant body that is capable of dual axis adjustment with a large cavity (FIG. 7) for multiple purposes, which include engaging the insertion handle, packing of bone graft material, and reducing the weight of the implant as shown in FIG. 3. The cavity has preferably an octagon or hexagon shape (301). The implant body may come in different diameter and lengths to accommodate different patient compositions. It could also be made of different materials that may include non-corrosive metals such as Titanium, plastic natural or man-made material.

The implant body design incorporates a stepped and pointed conical tipped end as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 that promotes easier insertion into the patient (between the spinoud processes of the vertebrae in the lower back) and prevents excessive movement of the implant after surgery. The tipped end (102, 304) may be asymmetric for easier insertion.

Conical piercing tipped studs (FIG. 8) on side plates for attachment to the vertebrae and therefore reducing the chance of the implant moving from its preferred spot shown in FIG. 2 (204, 205). Preferably two tipped studs are placed in the front (204) and two on the rear (205) of each side plate.

The implant design incorporates precision-machined slots and keys (103, 302, and 303) in the implant body and side plates to obtain a smooth running and sliding fit that prevent binding and allow for quick and easy adjustments in both lateral and vertical directions to accommodate a variety of patient compositions. The precision-machined slots allow for speedy and symmetrical installation of side plates, and therefore, reducing the operation time.

In one embodiment, the shape of the implant in 2 directions have 2 different cross-sections, one much larger, being asymmetric, making it ideal for locking and proper installation, for example, after rotation of the assembly by 90 degree, making sure that the device cannot be slide out (out of its intended position), for example, being locked at that direction, for proper and long-lasting installation in the body.

In one embodiment, the plates can be adjusted for multiple levels for vertebral body.

In another embodiment, the size is adjustable for different size patients, making it cheaper to manufacture, and easier to install, because it does not have to be custom-made much before the surgery, for each individual separately, based on his/her size and body structure.

In one embodiment, the side plates are asymmetrical and the front and rear end of the side plates have different size (FIG. 11).

More details are shown in the following figures: FIG. 12 shows the screws and bands that support the structure for one of the embodiments. FIG. 13 shows the cross section or another view of the structure shown in FIG. 12.

Note that easy installation means faster surgery, which means better survival rate after surgery.

Single Level Intra-Spinal Fusion:

The single level intra-spinal fusion is based on our multi-level intra-spinal fusion instrument. Like the multi-level fusion device, the single level consists of:

1. A sharp tip for easy insertion.

2. A rotational capability to help increase the space between the spinal process, e.g. between 2-5 mm.

3. A hollow canal to allow for increased and robust fusion in the spinal process.

In addition to allowing for successful execution of a single level intra-spinal fusion, this device can also be used for a facet fusion, specifically for patients with grade I and grade II spondyloisthesis. The device includes metal attachments that can be secured, via metal screws, from the fusion device itself, to the facet joint, permitting for successful facet fusion. See FIGS. 12-13 for details, in addition to appendices for more pictures and drawings. FIG. 12 shows the structure with metal (or other materials) bands (or arrays or series of bands) or stripes attached (slightly bended or curved for most configurations), holding or attaching or supporting the components, using two screws at the 2 ends (or similar attachment mechanisms).

The attachments with screws, holes, slots, and pins make the size adjustable for different patients and sizes.

Any material, such as plastic, titanium, alloy, metal, elastic, human tissue, animal tissue, cultured material, plant-based, oil-based, petrochemical, cotton, fabric, any byproducts, magnetic, non-magnetic, alloyed, plated, implanted, mix, powder, combination, mixture, and similar types, can be used.

The attachments can be done by screws, holes, slots, pins, ribbon, string, chain, cable, rings, human tissue, engineered tissue, glue, pressured material, Velcro-type, micro-sized devices, nano-fabricated material and devices, using only surface adhesion, using micro-property of materials, welded joints, hinges, locks, engagements devices, keys, and similar types.

Any variations of the above are also meant to be covered by the current patent application. 

1. An apparatus for decompressing spinal neuro elements, said apparatus comprising: an implant body; wherein said implant body has an asymmetric cross section; said implant body comprises two parallel flat sides and two curved sides; minimum distance between said two parallel flat sides is smaller than minimum distance between said two curved sides; said implant body comprises a base with a hexagonal cavity; said implant body comprises a tip with a stepped and pointed conical shape; said implant body comprises holes for screws to get attached to said implant body; two side plates; wherein said two side plates are positioned in parallel; length of each of said side plates is adjustable; and one or more stripes; wherein said one or more stripes are attached to other parts of said apparatus using two screws at two ends of each of said one or more stripes.
 2. The apparatus as stated in claim 1, wherein said two side plates are attached to said implant body.
 3. The apparatus as stated in claim 1, wherein minimum distance between said two side plates is adjustable.
 4. The apparatus as stated in claim 1, wherein each of said two side plates comprises one or more conical piercing tipped studs for attachment to human body or tissue.
 5. The apparatus as stated in claim 1, wherein said implant body comprises one or more grooves.
 6. The apparatus as stated in claim 1, wherein each of said two side plates comprises one or more slots for adjusting position of said two side plates with respect to said implant body.
 7. The apparatus as stated in claim 1, wherein said implant body and said two side plates are made from metal, alloy, plastic, elastic, natural, titanium or man-made material.
 8. The apparatus as stated in claim 1, wherein said apparatus has a rough surface or small extensions for better friction, adhesion, and incorporation to said human body or tissue.
 9. The apparatus as stated in claim 1, wherein said one or more stripes are bent.
 10. The apparatus as stated in claim 1, wherein said one or more stripes are straight.
 11. An apparatus for decompressing spinal neuro elements, said apparatus comprising: an implant body; wherein said implant body has an asymmetric cross section; said implant body comprises two parallel flat sides and two curved sides; minimum distance between said two parallel flat sides is smaller than minimum distance between said two curved sides; said implant body comprises a base with a hexagonal cavity; said implant body comprises a tip with a stepped and pointed conical shape; said implant body comprises holes for screws to get attached to said implant body; two side plates; wherein said two side plates are positioned in parallel; said two side plates are attached to said implant body; and one or more stripes; wherein said one or more stripes are attached to other parts of said apparatus using two screws at two ends of each of said one or more stripes.
 12. The apparatus as stated in claim 11, wherein said one or more stripes are four stripes.
 13. The apparatus as stated in claim 11, wherein minimum distance between said two side plates is adjustable.
 14. The apparatus as stated in claim 11, wherein each of said two side plates comprises one or more conical piercing tipped studs for attachment to human body or tissue.
 15. The apparatus as stated in claim 11, wherein said implant body comprises one or more grooves.
 16. The apparatus as stated in claim 11, wherein each of said two side plates comprises one or more slots for adjusting position of said two side plates with respect to said implant body.
 17. The apparatus as stated in claim 11, wherein said implant body and said two side plates are made from metal, alloy, plastic, elastic, natural, titanium or man-made material.
 18. The apparatus as stated in claim 11, wherein said apparatus has a rough surface or small extensions for better friction, adhesion, and incorporation to said human body or tissue.
 19. The apparatus as stated in claim 11, wherein said one or more stripes are bent.
 20. The apparatus as stated in claim 11, wherein said one or more stripes are straight. 